Nominate an Alberta Great Kid!

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Great Kids Award.

“Every day, caring and courageous children and youth in our province make a positive difference for others through their exceptional contributions at home, at school and in their communities,” said Minister of Children and Youth Services Yvonne Fritz. ”I encourage Albertans to let our Great Kids know how much their efforts mean by nominating them for this prestigious award.” 

This is the 11th year that the Government of Alberta is honouring children and youth through the Great Kids Award. Great Kids are a diverse group of young Albertans between the ages of five and 18 who demonstrate determination, generosity, compassion, courage and a strong spirit.

The Alberta government will host an awards ceremony to celebrate Alberta’s Great Kids at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton this fall. Award recipients will receive a prize package from IBM and West Edmonton Mall, along with accommodation at the Fantasyland Hotel.

The deadline to submit nominations is June 14. Visit www.greatkids.alberta.ca for more information and to get a nomination form, or call 780-415-0085 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000). Nomination forms are also available from Child and Family Services Authority and Delegated First Nations Agency offices.

Excellence in Teaching Awards

Educators have the challenging and rewarding job of encouraging students to enjoy learning. By modelling positive behaviours for students, teachers do an outstanding job of preparing youth for the journey of life-long learning. Alberta’s Excellence in Teaching Awards Program provides us all an opportunity to give special thanks to teachers and principals who have played an extraordinary role in enhancing our learning experiences and helping us to succeed.

The nominees for the Excellence in Teaching Awards are teachers and principals who use creativity and innovation to motivate students to succeed. They show leadership and work with their teaching colleagues to create a positive school climate, and are champions for their schools and for their students.

Each nominee is recognized for their work by both their peers and their community. Nominations for the awards must include support from the nominee’s principal or superintendent, a teaching colleague, and a member of the public. Semi-finalists and award recipients are selected by a committee made up of various representatives from the education community.

To recognize all semi-finalists and award recipients for their outstanding contributions, the 20 teachers who receive Provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards can access up to $4,000 for professional development, and semi-finalists can access up to $1,500 for professional development. The three teachers who receive SMARTer Kids Foundation Innovative Use of Technology Awards continue to receive a comprehensive technology package, which includes a SMART board.

Every eligible nominated teacher will receive a certificate signed by the Education Minister to recognize their tremendous work in helping students succeed. From the 338 eligible nominees, 136 semi-finalists have been selected and invited to attend a special celebration in Edmonton or Calgary in April. The 23 award recipients will be formally honoured at a dinner and awards ceremony with the Education Minister in Calgary on May 29, 2010.

If you know a teacher or principal who has made a difference in a child’s life or in your community, I encourage you to nominate them for next year’s Excellence in Teaching Awards. Nomination forms for the 2011 awards will be available in the fall. More information about the awards program is available at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/excellence.aspx.

Vitalize 2010 Provincial Voluntary Sector Conference

This event is an excellent development opportunity for non-profit, voluntary sector organizations in our constituency to network and participate in a variety of educational sessions. Vitalize 2010 will take place June 10-12, 2010, at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton. 

Vitalize 2010 Provincial Voluntary Sector Conference information postcard